Back-to-back Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Champions.
For the second time, the Colorado Mesa University (CMU) Women’s Basketball Team has been victorious in the RMAC Championship in consecutive years under Head Coach Taylor Wagner. Led by junior guard Kylyn Rigsby’s 24 points and five three-pointers, the Mavericks beat Westminster College (WC) 60-48.
“We’re talking about the toughest team advances, the toughest team wins. We want to just make sure we go out and leave everything on the floor. I thought the girls did a phenomenal job, not only this game but all weekend,” Wagner said.” [Rigsby] was clutch for us. I think the big thing for her, it was a blessing in disguise, she got in foul trouble yesterday, so she had fresh legs today”
With Rigsby playing a total of 40 minutes, more than anyone on the court from both ends, fresh legs are what she needed. Rigsby was named the RMAC Tournament Most Valuable Player after compiling 62 points and nine assists through three games.
The Mavericks shot a total of 34.5 percent from the field, 33.3 percent for the arc and 83.3 percent from the free-throw line.
Rigsby recorded all of the Mavericks’ 13 points in the first quarter keeping the game close with a 13-14 deficit going into the second.
“All day I was just thinking, championship game, it’s time for players to step up. Coach always talks about that. It’s time to take your shot, make your shot and do what they won’t expect. I think I just came out knowing that I was going to have to help my team in every way that I could,” Rigsby said.
Throughout the second, The Mavericks battled back and forth with the Griffins allowing a seven-point run within the first five minutes of the quarter. CMU quickly turned the tides, going into halftime with a seven-point lead.
The Griffins opened the second half with a huge 16-6 run early in the third quarter. The quarter ends and Westminster College holds 41-38 lead with time ticking down.
Up until this point, both teams were putting on a show. CMU’s Daniella Turner finished with 19 points, three steals and one assist. Turner was also named to the RMAC All-Tournament Team along with Sydni Brandon and Sophia Anderson.
The largest lead of the night was found in the fourth. CMU began with a dominate 22-7 run pushing towards an eventual 55-46 lead with just over a minute left on the board.
Junior forward Sierra McNicol had a near double-double with eight points and nine rebounds.
CMU now progresses to the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament for a rematch of the RMAC Championship Friday, Mar. 13 at 6:30 P.M. against Westminster College.
